Labeling device



4 shams-sheet 1 B. J. NIGRELLI LABELING DEVICE Jan. 18, 1955 Filed July :51, 1953 Jan. 18, 1955 B. J. NlGRELll 2,699,881

LABELING DEVICE Filed July s1, -195s 4 sheets-sheet 2 E f f Jan. E55 a. J. NIGRELLI 2,599,881

LABEL'ING DEv'c Filed July 51. 195:5 4 shams-sheet 5 I A 14W/ JIL M u' Jan. 18, 1955 l I B. J. NIGRELLI 2,699,881

- LABELING DEVICE Filed July 51. 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 "\l\ /5 L Eg/.5 l Z United States Patent() LABELING DEVICE Biagio J. Nigrelli, Skokie, Illf., assi'gnor to llekoosia Edwards' Paper Company, Port Edwards, Wis'.

Application July 31,1953, Seriali No. 371,523

Claims. (.Cl. 2116-45) This invention relates to improvements in l'abel'ers for packages and is more particularly directed to a labeler adapted to label the ends of' a succession of packaged reamsl of paper asl the end of the wrapping operation thereof. A ,y

A primary object' of my invention is` to provide a simple and improved form of labeler for labeling a succession of packages and arranged with a view toward utmost simplicity and eiciency in construction and operation.

A further object of my invention is to Vprovide" 4a sim'- plitied and improvedk form of labeler particularly; adapted to label the ends of wrapped packages of reams of` paper at the end lof the wrapping' operation thereof in: a' simpler and more ellicient' manner than formerly.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved form of labeler in which the labels .are carried in a hopper iloatingly mounted on a carriage movable toward and from the wrapped article and in which pressure is applied' directly to the labels andt the.

hopper and label isrolled into engagement with the end of the wrappedv article in a simpler and more efficient manner' than formerly. y

A still further object of my'v invention is"v to provide a novel and improvedV form of labeler' in which a magazine lor pack. of labels is carried in a hopper movably sup'- ported on a carriage movable toward and from a wrapped package and pressure is applied directly to the labels by a pressureV bar mounted within the hopper on the carriage and moved relatively to the hopper, upon movement of the carriage towar'd. the' wrapped article.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an eiiicient and limproved form of`- labeler for labeling a succession of articles passing along a table at the. end of the wrapping operationt thereof, wherein the labels are applied to the end' of' the package with a wiping ,actionA from the trailing to leading end of the package during a period of rest" of the wrapped article by means of a pressure bar' backing up a pack `of labels carried withinv a hopper therefor and' movable relative lto the hopper eccentric of the center thereof and pivoting the hopper during. the pressure applying operation to* wipe the labels carried thereby into rolling engagement with the end of the wrapped article.

Still a further object of my invention isto provide ya simplied and improved' form, ofdfevice for eiiiciently labelingl the ends of the packages of wrapped articles at the end of the wrapping. operation-thereof,in which a labeler is mounted on the table of the wrappingA device at av discharge end thereof for horizontal movement toward andfrom the table and is moved to wipean individual label on eachy packaged article; pas'singfA along the table during a period 'of rest of thearticle by means of a pressure' plate backing upa stack of labels carried by the hopper .and movable relative to the'ho'pper by the application of pressure thereto,` eccentric ofthe center of the hopper. s l

u These and other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as` the fol-lowing speciiiea-tion proi ceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: ,l

Figure l is a diagrammaticview" inside elevation of a wrapping machine having a labeler' constructed in accordance with my' invention at' thedischarge endthereof; Figure 2 is a fragmentary planview of the discharge end of the wrapping machine shown-in- Fi'gurer-l, showice ing the labeler in position to apply a label to a package onl the table of the machine;

'Figure' 3 is a view somewhat similargto Figure 2, but showing a package onl the table and illustrating in an exaggerated form, thev position of the label hopper at an initial step of the label applying operation. u

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan Viewl ofthe labeler shown in Figures 42` and 3' with parts of the tablel of the wrapping machine broken away in order to more clearly il1ustrate certain details of" my invention; y

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line V-V of Figure' 4;

I Figure 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along lineVI--VI of Figure 4; and Y Figure 7` is a sectionalv view taken substantially along line VII-VII of Figure 4. p

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, I have shown a labeler 10 positioned at the discharge end of a Wrapping machine 11, of a type particularly adapted tof wrap reams of paper of folio size at the completion of the wrapping operation thereof. It should be understood, however, that the labeler is suitable for labeling various sizes and kinds of articles and packages, and may be adapted to various forms of wrapping and packaging. machines. v

The vream wrapping machine 11 is of a type clearly shown and described in my joint application with Walter R. Griswold Serial No. 319,154 led November 6, 1952 and entitled Ream Wrapping Machine. The wrapping machine, therefore, need not herein be shown or described in detail except to point out that the wrapping operation is carried out along a single levelY tablel 12 and. that the table 12 is provided with a back up bar 13 extending along the discharge end portion thereof, along which thewrapped ream of paper moves. The back up bar 13 maybe adjustable transversely of the table 12, to accommodate the machine for varying Widths of reams, and forms a back up or reaction bar reacting against the ream and holding the ream from lateral movement during the applying of a label thereto while the ream is at rest. I

The labeler 10 includes generally a carriage 15 guided for movement towardv and from the opposite side of the table 12' from the back up bar 13. The carriage 15 forms a support for a label hopper 16' extending along one side of the table 12 and mountedA on the carriage 15 forlimited slidable movement with respect to said carriage..v The hopper 16 is moved relative to the carri'age 15toward the table 11 by operation of a pressure bar 17 backing up a pack of labels within. the hopper 16 andjvexerting label applying. pressure thereon, and is retractibly moved with respect to said pressureV bar' by a leaf springlS, as will hereinafter more clearly appear as this specification proceeds.

The labeler also includesk a moistener roll 19 at' the advance end of the hopper 16 and biased into engagement with the end of a ream passing along the table 12 by a tension spring 20. It also includes av pressure roll 21 at the discharge end of the hopper 16 and biased into engagementwith the applied label on the end of the wrappedv ream as by a tension spring 22.

The carriage 15, hopper 16, moistener roll 19 and pressure' roll 21 are all shown` as being mounted on a horizontal plate 23, spaced downwardly from the top of the table 12 and extending along the underside of the tfableand outwardly therefrom. u v

The plate 23 isv shown in Figures 6 and 7 as being mounted onthe bottom of the table 12 by av gibbed retainingl construction including two spacer strips 24', 24 extending longitudinally of the table 12 and secured to the upper side of the plate 23 as by machine screws 25, 25. vSecured to the' top of each spacer strip 24 by the machine screws25 and extending inwardly thereof is a plate or gib 26 having slidable engagement with and supported by a corresponding gib 27 spaced from the bottom of the cable 12 as by a spacer strip 28 and suitably secured to said table as by countersunk head machine screws 29, 29. y

Whenr assembling the labeler 10 to the table 12 the plate 23 isv moved longitudinally inwardly of the table from the end thereof, with the gibs 26 into engagement A suitable clamping means is shown as being provided l to clamp the plate 23 in position on the table 12 and to accommodate said plate to be adjustably moved along said table into the desired position. The clamping means is shown in Figures 4 and 6 as comprising spaced clamping blocks 30, 30 mounted on eccentrics 31, 31 on the upper ends of vertical shafts 32, 32. The vertical shafts 32, 32 are shown as extending from the clamping blocks 30, 30 downwardly through the plate 23 and bearing collars 33, 33 welded or otherwise secured to the bottom of the plate 23. A hand lever 35 is shown as being secured to the lower end of each shaft 32 for turning the same and moving the associated block 30 into gripping engagement with the spacer 26 and gib 27.

The carrier 15 is shown as being movable along the plate 23 toward and from the table 12 in a central slot 36,extending transversely of said plate. also has vertical pivot pins 37 and 39 extending upwardly therefrom adjacent opposite ends thereof and forming mountings for crank arms 40 and 41 supporting the respective moistener and pressure rolls. The crank arm 40 The plate 23 is shown as having a hollow shaft 41 mounted on its free end and extending vertically therefrom and forming a bearing shaft for the moistener roll 19. The arm 41 has a vertical shaft 43 secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom and forming a mounting for the pressure roll 21.

The moistener roll 19 may be made of a sponge rubber or other porous material and the hollow shaft 41 may be cross drilled, to supply water to the moistener roll 19 through the hollow interior of said shaft. As herein shown, a container 43 is mounted on the top of the shaft v41 and has communication therewith, for supplying water to maintain the roller 19 moist.

The spring 20 is shown as being disposed beneath the plate 23 and as being connected with a depending end portion 45 of the shaft 41 at one of its ends and with a hanger 46, depending from the bottom of the plate 23, at its opposite end (see Figure 5). The depending end 45 of the shaft 41 moves within an opening 47 in the plate 23. Movement of the moistener roll 19 toward the edge of the table 12 is shown as being limited by a pin 49 movable along a slot 50 in the plate 23.

The arm 41 supporting the pressure roll 21 is shown as extending beyond the end of the plate 23. The spring 22 may be connected with a depending end portion 51 of the shaft 43 at one of its ends and with a hanger 52 at its opposite end. The hanger 52 is mounted on the bottom of the plate 23 and extends therefrom toward the discharge end of the table 12.

The hopper 16 is shown as being of a box-like construction having a bottom 54, a back wall 55 and opposite side walls 56, 56. A slot 57 is shown as extending transversely of the bottom 54 of the hopper 16, to receive an upwardly projecting lug 59 of the carriage 15 and to accommodate said lug and the carriage 15 to move relatively to the hopper 16. As shown in Figure 5 the carriage 15 has a central boss 60 having a threaded shaft 61 rotatably mounted therein and depending therefrom and forming an adjustable support therefor. The carriage 15 is also shown as having two arms 63, 63 extending laterally from the boss 60 and having supporting engagement with the bottom 54 of the hopper 16.

The threaded shaft 61 is shown as being threaded within a boss 64 of a slide member 65, slidably guided along guides 66, 66, extending transversely of the table 12 and spaced beneath and in alignment with the slot 57 and extending along opposite sides thereof. The spaced guides 66, 66 are herein shown as comprising guide plates 67, 67 secured to the bottoms of spacers 69, 69, having inwardly inclined guide faces 70, 70, engaging corresponding faces extending along opposite sides of the slide member 65. The plates 67 and spacers 69 are shown as being secured to and extending along the bottoms of spacer blocks 71, 71 secured to and depending from the bottom of the plate 23 and extending along opposite sides of the slot 57. A hand wheel 73 is shown as being secured to the lower end of the vertical shaft 61, as by a set screw 74, to afford a means for turning said shaft and varying the elevation of the hopper 16 with respect to the plate 23 and the top surface of the table 12, to adjust said hopper to varying thicknesses of packages, to properly position the label orij 1a wrapped ream or other article passing along said ta e.

The shaft 61 has a reduced upper end portion 75 projecting upwardly through the boss 60 and through a anged collar 76, abutting the top of said boss and slidably guided along the slot 57 in thebottom 54 of the hopper 16. A retaining collar 77 is shown as abutting the top of the anged collar 76 and as being retained to the reduced end portion of the shaft 61, as by a set screw 79. The hopper 16 is thus supported on the carriage 15 eccentric of its center for relative movement with respect to said carriage upon movement of said carriage toward and from the table 12.

The carriage 15 is shown as being moved toward and from the table 12 as by a lluid pressure cylinder 80 having a piston (not shown) therein, with piston rod 81 extensible therefrom. As herein shown the cylinder 80 depends from the bottom of the plate 23 and extends transversely of the table 12 and is suitably secured to the bottom of said plate as by machine screws 82, 82. The piston rod 81 is shown as being threaded within an inwardly extending central boss 83 of the slide member 65. A nut 85 is provided to lock the piston rod 81 to said boss 83. The cylinder 80 and piston therein are double acting, so that'the admission of fluid under pressure to the head end of the cylinder 80 will retractibly move the carriage 15 with respect to the table 12, while the admission of uid under pressure to the piston rod end of said cylinder will move the carriage 15 toward the edge of the table 12, to apply a label to a package thereon.

The pressure bar 17 is shown as being mounted on the lug 59 of the carrier 15. The lug 59 projects upwardly through the slot 57 and the pressure bar 17 is on a rod 86 extending longitudinally of said pressure bar and extending through the lug 59. The rod 86 is spaced from the pressure bar 17 and is secured thereto at its ends to blocks or lugs 87, 87 extending rearwardly from said pressure bar 17. A set screw 88 threaded in the lug 59 into engagement with the rod 86, affords a means for maintaining the pressure bar in position on the rod 86 and adjusting the position thereof along said rod. The leaf spring 18 is shown as being mounted on the lug 59 intermediate its ends on the set screw 88. The leaf spring 18 is herein shown as being a bowed leaf spring engaging the inside of the rear wall 55 of the hopper 16 at its ends to bias the hopper 16 in a retracted position with respect to the pressure bar 17.

The pressure bar 17 is shown as being extensible, to atord a means for adjusting the hopper for varying lengths of labels, and as herein shown includes a bar portion 91 having a slot 92 extending therealong and slidably receiving a tongue 93 of a plate or bar member 94.

In placing a pack of labels in the hopper 16, one end of the pack is placed into engagement with the advance wall 56 of said hopper while the opposite end of the pack is engaged by an end plate 98 extending parallel to the wall 56. The end plate 98 is shown as abutting the outer end of the plate 94 of the pressure bar 17. The end plate 98 has a clip 95 mounted on the outside thereof and extending around the inner edge thereof, to engage the advance label of a pack of labels and detachably maintain the pack of labels within the hopper 16 in engagement with the pressure bar 91. A similar clip 96 is shown as being ksecured to the outside of the advance wall 56 of the hopper and as extending inwardly around the edge thereof to engage the opposite end of the advance label of a pack of labels. The clips 95 and 96 thus serve to releasably retain the pack of labels to the hopper 54, and to release the labels one by one upon the pressing of the labels against the moistened end of a package, by operation of the pressure bar 17.

The end plate 98 is adjustable in accordance with the length of the pressure bar 17 and the length of the labels of the pack` of labels and is shown as being mounted on an arm 97, extending outwardly and rearwardly from the end plate 98 and slidably mounted on a threaded shaft 99. The threaded shaft 99 is shown as being secured at its ends to spaced supports 100, 100 secured to the bottom 54 of the hopper 16 and extending upwardly therefrom in longitudinally spaced relation with respect to each other. Lock nuts 101, 101 may be locked into engagement with opposite sides of the arm 97, to maintain said arm in position along the threaded shaft 99.

In operation of the labeler, to apply a label on the end of a wrapped ream of paper or any other package or wrapped article, as one ream is wrapped and sealed,

gepasst a' next' following ream may" engage the wrappe'dr'ean'i' and advance' the wrapped ream along the' back' up'fbanIS' into alignment with the' hopper 16'. AAs the wrapped ream' s' advanced along' the' back u'p b'ar' I3',.cthe' moistener rfo'll19 engages the end' of the' wrapper as it passes' thereby'to m'oisten the same. A

e As' the wrapped ream cornes into the position shown in' Figure' 3, a limit' switch` (not' shown) may operate a valve (not shown) to suppl-yf fluidunder pressure to thepiston rod end of the cylinder' 802 This Willr'rive the carriage and-hopper 16 towar'd'the wrapped iea'i'r'i. Due to the eccentricityV of the slot' 57 with respect' to the lengthv of the hopper 16 and the center of application of force to said hopper through the pressure bar 17' directly engaging the pack of labels, the hopper 16 will pivot in a clockwise directionto lirstr engage the advance end of the label with the end of the package. As the package is engaged, the pressure'barV 117 will press the label thereto' from the leading to trailing end thereof with a rolling action.` During pressing of the label on the package, the hopper 16 will be pivoted into parallel relation with respect to the end' of the wrapper.V AA next snc'ceedi-ng wrapped article, such as arream, passingV along the table may then engage a limit switch (not shown) on the table 12, operative to release fluid under pressure from vthe piston rod endofthe cylinder S0 andto? supply fluid under pressure to the head end of said cylinder. This will retractibly move the pressure bar 1 7 and hopper 16 with respect to the wrapped article. During retractible movement of the pressure bar 17, the adhesive qualities of the glue of the label will release the ends of the label from the clips 95 and 96 and enable a next succeeding label to be applied to the next succeeding wrapped article, in the manner just described. The next succeeding ream may then push the labeled ream along the top of the table 12, engaging the labeled end thereof with the pressure roll 21, applying pressure to the label and end of the package and setting the label to the end of the package.

It will be understood that various modifications and variations of the present invention may be efected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts thereof.

I claim as my invention:

l. A label applying device comprising a carriage movable toward and from a table supporting an article to be labeled, a label carrying hopper supported on said carriage for relative movement with respect thereto, and a pressure bar within said hopper movable relatively with respect to said hopper, said pressure bar being carried by said carriage and moved thereby upon movement of said carriage toward and from the edge of the table, for applying pressure directly to the end label of a pack of labels and moving the hopper and labels in a label applying direction.

2. A label applying device comprising a carriage movable transversely of a table supporting an article to be labeled, a label carrying hopper on said carriage extending along one side of the table and supported for movement with respect thereto, a pressure bar extending along said hopper and carried by said carriage and movable relative to said hopper, said pressure bar backing up and applying pressure directly to the end label of a pack of labels contained within said hopper, and the application of force to said pressure bar being eccentric of the center of said hopper to first engage the leading end of a label with the article and then come into full engagement with the end of the package, wiping on the label with rolling action.

3. A label applying device comprising a plate adapted to be secured to and to extend to one side of a table supporting an article to be labeled, a carriage guided for movement along said plate toward and from the table, a label carrying hopper extending along one side of said table and mounted on said carriage for movement with respect thereto, a moistener roll at the leading end of said hopper and biased into engagement with the end of a wrapped article for moistening the wrapper thereof as the article passes thereby, a pressure roll mounted on said plate at the trailing end of said hopper and biased into engagement with the labeled wrapper for pressing the label thereto, a pressure bar mounted on said car riage and extending within and along said hopper and movable with respect to said hopper for exerting pressure directly on a pack of labels contained within said Bopper and pressing thel advance I'a'be'l into engagement wih the' moistened end ofthe wrapper of a wrapped. ari tic e.

4. A label applying/device comprising a'pl'at'e' adapted to be secured toV and fo' extend to' one side` of a table supporting, a'n article' to be labeled', a carriage guided for movement alongv said plate tow'ard and' from the table, a label carrying hopper extending, along one side of said t'a'ble and' mounted o'n saidA carriage for' movement'with respect thereto, amoi's't'ener roll. at' the leading' endA of s'aid hopper'and'- biased' into engagement with the` endof a' Wrapped' article for' moistening. the Wrapper thereof. as th'e'artlcle passes thereby, a' pressure roll. mountedvo'n said p'la't'e a't` the trailing', end of.y said hopper and biased into' engagement with the labeled' wrapper for pressing the label thereto, a pressure bar' mountedjonl said cai',- riag'e and' extending withinl and along said-hopper. and movable with respect to saidJ hopper for exerting` pressure directly on a pack of labels contained. within said hopper and pressing the advance'label iht'o engagement with th'e moistened' end of the wrapper' of a.A wrapped article, and spring means biasing. said hopper in retracted relation with respect to said pressure bar.

5. A label' applying device comprising` a plate adapted tov be secured' t'o and'. to extend to one side of atable supporting. an article to' be labeled, a carriage: guided for movement along. said plate toward and from the. table, a label carrying hopper extending along onev side ofv said table and mounted on said carriage for movement with respect thereto, a moistener roll at the leading end of said hopper and biased into engagement with the end of a wrapped article for moistening the wrapper thereof as the article passes thereby, a pressure roll mounted on said plate at the trailing end of said hopper and biased into engagement with the labeled wrapper for pressing the label thereto, a pressure bar mounted on said carriage and extending within and along said hopper and movable with respect to said hopper for exerting pressure directly on a pack of labels contained within said hopper and pressing the advance label into engagement with the moistened end of the wrapper of a wrapped article, spaced clips on the end of said hopper adjacent said table for releasably engaging the opposite ends of the advance label of a pack of labels, and a spring on said carrier and engaging said hopper and biasing said clips into detachable engagement with the ends of the end labels of a stack of labels,

6. In a label applying device, a table along which a succession of packages are adapted to move, a carriage guided for movement toward and from said table, a hopper opening toward said table and adapted to carry a pack of labels, said hopper being supported on said carriage for movement with respect thereto, means at the open end of said hopper for releasably engaging opposite ends of the advance label of a pack of labels, a pressure bar mounted on said carriage and extending along said hopper for backing up a pack of labels within said hopper and applying pressure directly thereto, said pressure bar being positively moved by said carriage upon movement of said carriage toward the table, and means moving said carriage and pressure bar toward said table and moving said hopper therewith by the engaging connection between the advance label of the pack of labels and said hopper.

7. In a labeler, a table along which a succession of packages are adapted to move, a carriage guided for movement toward and from one side of said table, a hopper supported on said carriage for limited movement with respect thereto, means biasing said hopper in retracted relation with respect to said carriage, means moving said carriage toward and from the table, means at the open end of said hopper for removably retaining a pack of labels thereto, and a pressure plate within said hopper for backing up the labels in said hopper and mounted on said carriage for movement therewith.

8. In a labeler, a table along which a succession of packages are adapted to move, a carriage guided for movement toward and from one side of said table, power means for moving said carriage toward and from said table, a hopper supported on said carriage for slidable movement with respect thereto and opening toward and extending along said table, said hopper having a slot extending therealong in a direction transversely of said table, means at the open end of said hopper for detachably engaging the advance label of a pack of labels, said carriage having a support portion extending upwardly through said slot in said hopper, a pressure bar mounted on said support portion of said carriage for engagement with the pack of labels, and moved relative to said hopper upon movement of said carriage toward said table, and a spring connected with said pressure bar and having engagement with said hopper, for biasing said hopper in retracted relation with respect to said pressure bar.

9. In a label applying device, a table along which a succession of packages are adapted to move, a carriage guided for movement toward and from one side of said table, vpower means selectively operable to move said carriage toward and from said table, a hopper extending along said table and slidably supported on said carriage and having an open end portion opening toward said table, means at the open end portion of said hopper for detachably retaining a pack of labels thereto, said hopper also having a transverse slot extending therealong eccentric of the center thereof, a lug extending upwardly from said carriage through said slot, a pressure bar mounted on said lug, for backing up and exerting label applying pressure on the pack of labels, and a leaf spring mounted on said lug intermediate its ends and having engagement with said hopper at its ends and biasing said hopper in retracted relation with respect to said pressure plate.

10. In an apparatus for successively labeling the ends of wrapped packages at the completion of the wrapping operation thereof, a table along which the packages are passed during the wrapping thereof, a back up plate extending along one side of said table, having slidable engagement with one end of a package being wrapped, a hopper for a stack of labels extending along the opposite side of said table and having a bottom and side walls and opening toward said table, a carriage, means guiding said carriage for movement toward and from said table, cylinder and piston means moving said carriage toward and from said table, said carriage forming a support for said hopper, a pressure bar within said hopper and extending therealong and facing said table and exerting label applying pressure directly against the labels carried in said hopper, a supporting connection between said carriage and pressure bar free from said hopper, means at the open end of said hopper for detachably retaining the end label of a pack of labels thereto, and other means retractibly biasing said hopper with respect to said pressure bar.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 765,970 Haulick July 26, 1904 1,425,351 Weeks Aug. 8, 1922 1,446,733 Beckman Feb. 27, 1923 1,776,490 Davis Sept. 23, 1930 1,863,176 Wild u June 14, 1932 2,014,710v Wild Sept. 17, 1935 

